Homelodge makes space for a growing Sure Start

Sure Start is the Government's programme to deliver the best start in life for every child. It brings together early education, childcare, health and family support.

Homelodge Buildings have now been part of this programme by providing brand new accommodation for the new Children's Centre recently opened in Dartford.

Sure Start Dartford provides outreach and home visiting. It supports families and parents. It provides access to good quality play. It offers learning and childcare experiences for children. It delivers primary care and health, including advice about child health and development. And It guarantees support for children and families with special needs, including access to specialised services.

The new annexe was based on the Homelodge Twyford Commercial range of pre-fabricated buildings and was completed within 7 weeks. Felix Bolger, Managing Director of Homelodge said:

"Homelodge has supplied a number of Sure Start and Neighbourhood Nursery schemes. It is a delight to work on such worthwhile projects. It is always a pleasure when we revisit our projects to see how our unique design of timber lodges can create such a calming  environment - essential to "work, play and learn". We believe this as an important benefit, and an added bonus to the overall cost-effectiveness of our building schemes"

The government aims to have a Sure Start Children’s Centre in every community by 2010, and Margaret Hodge, Minister for Children [pictured here at the Dartford centre] said in a recent speech to the Sure Start national conference:

“ Sure Start Children’s Centres are a key feature of the new landscape we are developing. They will bring Sure Start into the heart of every community. This is an ambitious vision. I believe the work that we have done so far gives us the right building blocks to translate that vision into a reality in every single community across the country"

End of Article